Water treatment systems and methods of treating water

ABSTRACT

A water treatment system includes: a first vessel having adsorbent materials that form a filtering bed; a second vessel in fluid communication with the first vessel and which includes adsorbent materials that form a filtering bed; an underdrain collection system having ring headers formed below the first and second vessel; a liquid control system in fluid communication with the first vessel, the second vessel, and the underdrain collection system; adsorbent material influent lines; water wash-down lines; raw water lines; and adsorbent material effluent lines, each adsorbent material effluent line having an inlet attached to a bottom of the first or second vessel and an outlet that extends out from the first or second vessel and which is positioned above the ring headers of the underdrain collection system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/593,353, filed Dec. 1, 2017, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to water treatment systems and methods oftreating water using the water treatment systems.

Description of Related Art

Water treatment systems generally consist of one or more vessels thatcontain filter media designed to capture and remove contaminants foundin water. Large water treatment filter vessels are typically designedwith a limited diameter which requires the overall height to beincreased in order to accommodate the necessary filter media (e.g.,granular activated carbon, ion-exchange resins, various sands, etc.) andmeet the technical requirements of the water treatment system. If designflow requirements and subsequent volume of the filter media cannot beplaced into a vessel due to height restrictions, instability, and/orpressure drop increases, the water system may require multiple smallervessels to meet the requirements. Alternatively, a vault like structurecan be used to lower the water system below grade level into anengineered concrete structure, thereby lowering the overall height ofthe vessel.

While smaller vessels and vault like structures can be used to meet thetechnical requirements of the water system, these systems have variousdrawbacks. For instance, smaller vessels typically present area issues(not enough area/room for multiple smaller systems) as well as pipingissues due to the number of vessels. Further, vault like structures addsignificant costs in engineering, permitting, and construction. It istherefore desirable to provide a water treatment system that meets allthe technical requirements and which does not require multiple smallervessels or vault like structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present invention is directed to water treatment systemsand methods of operating water treatment systems.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the present invention includes awater treatment system that includes: a first vessel comprisingadsorbent materials that form a filtering bed in an interior of thefirst vessel; a second vessel in fluid communication with the firstvessel and which comprises adsorbent materials that form a filtering bedin an interior of the second vessel; an underdrain collection systemcomprising ring headers formed below the first and second vessel andwhich are configured to receive filtered water; a liquid control systemin fluid communication with the first vessel, the second vessel, and theunderdrain collection system; adsorbent material influent lines in fluidcommunication with the first and second vessels and which are configuredto distribute adsorption materials into the first and second vessels;water wash-down lines in fluid communication with the first and secondvessels that are configured to distribute water into the first andsecond vessels; raw water lines in fluid communication with the firstand second vessels that are configured to distribute raw water into thefirst and second vessels; and adsorbent material effluent linesconfigured to remove adsorption materials from the first and secondvessels, each adsorbent material effluent line comprising an inletattached to a bottom of the first or second vessel and an outlet thatextends out from the first or second vessel and which is positionedabove the ring headers of the underdrain collection system.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the first vessel and second vesseleach comprise a backwashing space formed between the filtering bed ofadsorption materials and a top of the vessels. The backwashing spaceforms a certain volume of each vessel such as at least 20% of a totalinternal volume of each vessel.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the adsorbent material influentlines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines, or a combinationthereof comprise an inlet end positioned through the sides of the firstand second vessel. For example, the adsorbent material influent linescan each comprise an inlet end positioned through the side of the firstor second vessel. In such embodiments, each adsorbent material influentline further comprises an inner distribution conduit that extends fromthe inlet end, into the first or second vessel, and upwards to the topof the first or second vessel such that adsorbent materials aredistributed from the top inside area of the first or second vessel.

As previously described, in some non-limiting embodiments, the waterwash-down lines each comprise an inlet end positioned through the sideof the first or second vessel. In such embodiments, each water wash-downline further comprises an inner water conduit that extends from theinlet end, into the first or second vessel, and upwards to the top ofthe first or second vessel such that water is distributed from the topinside area of the first or second vessel.

As indicated, in some non-limiting embodiments, the raw water lines eachcomprise an inlet end positioned through the side of the first or secondvessel. In such embodiments, each raw water line further comprises aninner water conduit that extends from the inlet end, into the first orsecond vessel, and upwards to the top of the first or second vessel suchthat raw water is distributed from the top inside area of the first orsecond vessel.

In certain embodiments, the adsorbent material influent lines, the waterwash-down lines, the raw water lines, or a combination thereof comprisean inlet end positioned through the tops of the first and second vessel.For example, the raw water lines can each comprise an inlet endpositioned through the top of the first or second vessel. In suchembodiments, the inlet end of each raw water line can independentlycomprise a 90 degree elbow that extends over the top of the first orsecond vessel, a flange that attaches to the top of the first or secondvessel, or a combination thereof.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the adsorbent material influent linesand water wash-down lines each comprise an inlet end positioned throughthe top of the first or second vessel. In such embodiments, the inletends of each adsorbent material influent line and water wash-down linecan independently comprise a flange that attaches to the top of thefirst or second vessel.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the system further comprises airrelease lines configured to release air from the first and secondvessels. In such embodiments, each air release line can comprise aninlet end positioned through a top of the first or second vessel, and anoutlet end that extends to the bottom of the first or second vessel.Further, in certain non-limiting embodiments, the water treatment systemcomprises a total height of 16 feet or less.

The present invention is also directed to a method of treating watercomprising: a) distributing raw water through a first raw water lineinto a first vessel comprising a bed of adsorbent materials; b)filtering the raw water through the bed of adsorbent materials of thefirst vessel and into an underdrain collection system; c) distributingthe filtered water from the underdrain collection system into a secondvessel comprising a bed of adsorbent materials by way of a second rawwater line; and d) filtering the filtered water through the bed ofadsorbent materials of the second vessel and into the underdraincollection system. Further, the water treatment system comprises a totalheight of 16 feet or less, and wherein the water treatment process ofconfigured to allow for a water flow rate of at least 1,200 gallons perminute with a pressure drop of less than 10 psi.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the method further comprisesbackwashing the bed of adsorbent materials of the first and/or secondvessel before and/or after filtering raw water, and in which the firstand second vessel comprise a backwashing space positioned between thebeds of the adsorbent materials and the tops of the first and secondvessel.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the method further comprises removingadsorbent materials from the first and/or second vessel throughadsorbent material effluent lines, and in which each adsorbent materialeffluent line comprises an inlet attached to a bottom of the first orsecond vessel and an outlet that extends out from the first or secondvessel and which is positioned above ring headers of the underdraincollection system.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the method further comprises addingadsorbent materials to the first and/or second vessel through adsorbentmaterial influent lines. Further, in some embodiments, the adsorbentmaterial influent lines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines,or a combination thereof comprise an inlet end positioned through thesides of the first and second vessel. In other embodiments, theadsorbent material influent lines, the water wash-down lines, the rawwater lines, or a combination thereof comprise an inlet end positionedthrough the tops of the first and second vessel.

The present invention is further directed to a method of treating watercomprising: a) distributing at least a portion of raw water through afirst raw water line into a first vessel comprising a bed of adsorbentmaterials and at least a portion of raw water through a second raw waterline into a second vessel comprising a bed of adsorbent materials; andb) filtering the raw water through the bed of adsorbent materials of thefirst vessel and second vessel and into an underdrain collection system.Further, the water treatment system comprises a total height of 16 feetor less, and wherein the water treatment process of configured to allowfor a water flow rate of at least 1,200 gallons per minute with apressure drop of less than 10 psi.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the method further comprisesbackwashing the bed of adsorbent materials of the first and/or secondvessel before and/or after filtering raw water, and in which the firstand second vessel comprise a backwashing space positioned between thebeds of the adsorbent materials and the tops of the first and secondvessel.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the method further comprises removingadsorbent materials from the first and/or second vessel throughadsorbent material effluent lines, and in which each adsorbent materialeffluent line comprises an inlet attached to a bottom of the first orsecond vessel and an outlet that extends out from the first or secondvessel and which is positioned above ring headers of the underdraincollection system.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the method further comprises addingadsorbent materials to the first and/or second vessel through adsorbentmaterial influent lines. Further, in some embodiments, the adsorbentmaterial influent lines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines,or a combination thereof comprise an inlet end positioned through thesides of the first and second vessel. In other embodiments, theadsorbent material influent lines, the water wash-down lines, the rawwater lines, or a combination thereof comprise an inlet end positionedthrough the tops of the first and second vessel.

The present invention is also directed to the following clauses.

Clause 1: A water treatment system comprising: a first vessel comprisingadsorbent materials that form a filtering bed in an interior of thefirst vessel; a second vessel in fluid communication with the firstvessel and which comprises adsorbent materials that form a filtering bedin an interior of the second vessel; an underdrain collection systemcomprising ring headers formed below the first and second vessel andwhich are configured to receive filtered water; a liquid control systemin fluid communication with the first vessel, the second vessel, and theunderdrain collection system; adsorbent material influent lines in fluidcommunication with the first and second vessels and which are configuredto distribute adsorption materials into the first and second vessels;water wash-down lines in fluid communication with the first and secondvessels that are configured to distribute water into the first andsecond vessels; raw water lines in fluid communication with the firstand second vessels that are configured to distribute raw water into thefirst and second vessels; and adsorbent material effluent linesconfigured to remove adsorption materials from the first and secondvessels, each adsorbent material effluent line comprising an inletattached to a bottom of the first or second vessel and an outlet thatextends out from the first or second vessel and which is positionedabove the ring headers of the underdrain collection system.

Clause 2: The water treatment system of clause 1, wherein the firstvessel and the second vessel each comprise a backwashing space formedbetween the filtering bed of adsorption materials and a top of thevessels.

Clause 3: The water treatment system of clause 2, wherein thebackwashing space comprises at least 20% of a total internal volume ofeach vessel.

Clause 4: The water treatment system of any of clauses 1 to 3, whereinthe adsorbent material influent lines, the water wash-down lines, theraw water lines, or a combination thereof comprise an inlet endpositioned through the sides of the first and second vessel.

Clause 5: The water treatment system of clause 4, wherein the adsorbentmaterial influent lines each comprise an inlet end positioned throughthe side of the first or second vessel, and wherein each adsorbentmaterial influent line further comprises an inner distribution conduitthat extends from the inlet end, into the first or second vessel, andupwards to the top of the first or second vessel such that adsorbentmaterials are distributed from the top inside area of the first orsecond vessel.

Clause 6: The water treatment system of any of clauses 4 to 5, whereinthe water wash-down lines each comprise an inlet end positioned throughthe side of the first or second vessel, and wherein each water wash-downline further comprises an inner water conduit that extends from theinlet end, into the first or second vessel, and upwards to the top ofthe first or second vessel such that water is distributed from the topinside area of the first or second vessel.

Clause 7: The water treatment system of any of clauses 4 to 6, whereinthe raw water lines each comprise an inlet end positioned through theside of the first or second vessel, and wherein each raw water linefurther comprises an inner water conduit that extends from the inletend, into the first or second vessel, and upwards to the top of thefirst or second vessel such that raw water is distributed from the topinside area of the first or second vessel.

Clause 8: The water treatment system of any of clauses 1 to 7, whereinthe adsorbent material influent lines, the water wash-down lines, theraw water lines, or a combination thereof comprise an inlet endpositioned through the tops of the first and second vessel.

Clause 9: The water treatment system of clause 8, wherein the raw waterlines each comprise an inlet end positioned through the top of the firstor second vessel, and wherein the inlet end of each raw water lineindependently comprises a 90 degree elbow that extends over the top ofthe first or second vessel.

Clause 10: The water treatment system of any of clauses 8 to 9, whereinthe raw water lines each comprise an inlet end positioned through thetop of the first or second vessel, and wherein the inlet end of each rawwater line independently comprises a flange that attaches to the top ofthe first or second vessel.

Clause 11: The water treatment system of any of clauses 8 to 10, whereinthe adsorbent material influent lines and water wash-down lines eachcomprise an inlet end positioned through the top of the first or secondvessel, and wherein the inlet ends of each adsorbent material influentline and water wash-down line independently comprise a flange thatattaches to the top of the first or second vessel.

Clause 12: The water treatment system of any of clauses 1 to 11, furthercomprising air release lines configured to release air from the firstand second vessels.

Clause 13: The water treatment system of clause 12, wherein each airrelease line comprises an inlet end positioned through a top of thefirst or second vessel, and an outlet end that extends to the bottom ofthe first or second vessel.

Clause 14: The water treatment system of any of clauses 1 to 13, whereinthe water treatment system comprises a total height of 16 feet or less.

Clause 15: A method of treating water comprising: a) distributing rawwater through a first raw water line into a first vessel comprising abed of adsorbent materials; b) filtering the raw water through the bedof adsorbent materials of the first vessel and into an underdraincollection system; c) distributing the filtered water from theunderdrain collection system into a second vessel comprising a bed ofadsorbent materials by way of a second raw water line; and d) filteringthe filtered water through the bed of adsorbent materials of the secondvessel and into the underdrain collection system, wherein the watertreatment system comprises a total height of 16 feet or less, andwherein the water treatment process of configured to allow for a waterflow rate of at least 1,200 gallons per minute with a pressure drop ofless than 10 psi.

Clause 16: The method of clause 15, further comprising backwashing thebed of adsorbent materials of the first and/or second vessel beforeand/or after filtering raw water, and wherein the first and secondvessel comprise a backwashing space positioned between the beds of theadsorbent materials and the tops of the first and second vessel.

Clause 17: The method of any of clauses 15 to 16, further comprisingremoving adsorbent materials from the first and/or second vessel throughadsorbent material effluent lines, wherein each adsorbent materialeffluent line comprises an inlet attached to a bottom of the first orsecond vessel and an outlet that extends out from the first or secondvessel and which is positioned above ring headers of the underdraincollection system.

Clause 18: The method of any of clauses 15 to 17, further comprisingadding adsorbent materials to the first and/or second vessel throughadsorbent material influent lines.

Clause 19: The method of any of clauses 15 to 18, wherein the adsorbentmaterial influent lines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines,or a combination thereof comprise an inlet end positioned through thesides of the first and second vessel.

Clause 20: The method of any of clauses 15 to 19, wherein the adsorbentmaterial influent lines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines,or a combination thereof comprise an inlet end positioned through thetops of the first and second vessel.

Clause 21: A method of treating water comprising: a) distributing atleast a portion of raw water through a first raw water line into a firstvessel comprising a bed of adsorbent materials and at least a portion ofraw water through a second raw water line into a second vesselcomprising a bed of adsorbent materials; and b) filtering the raw waterthrough the bed of adsorbent materials of the first vessel and secondvessel and into an underdrain collection system, wherein the watertreatment system comprises a total height of 16 feet or less, andwherein the water treatment process of configured to allow for a waterflow rate of at least 1,200 gallons per minute with a pressure drop ofless than 10 psi.

Clause 22: The method of clause 21, further comprising backwashing thebed of adsorbent materials of the first and/or second vessel beforeand/or after filtering raw water, and wherein the first and secondvessel comprise a backwashing space positioned between the beds of theadsorbent materials and the tops of the first and second vessel.

Clause 23: The method of any of clauses 21 to 22, further comprisingremoving adsorbent materials from the first and/or second vessel throughadsorbent material effluent lines, wherein each adsorbent materialeffluent line comprises an inlet attached to a bottom of the first orsecond vessel and an outlet that extends out from the first or secondvessel and which is positioned above ring headers of the underdraincollection system.

Clause 24: The method of any of clauses 21 to 23, further comprisingadding adsorbent materials to the first and/or second vessel throughadsorbent material influent lines.

Clause 25: The method of any of clauses 21 to 24, wherein the adsorbentmaterial influent lines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines,or a combination thereof comprise an inlet end positioned through thesides of the first and second vessel.

Clause 26: The method of any of clauses 21 to 25, wherein the adsorbentmaterial influent lines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines,or a combination thereof comprise an inlet end positioned through thetops of the first and second vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a water treatment system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the water treatment system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of a vessel of the water treatmentsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial side view of a vessel of the watertreatment system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a liquid control system of the water treatment systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of a vessel ofthe water treatment system of FIG. 1 having an inner distributionconduit attached to an adsorbent material influent line;

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of a vessel ofthe water treatment system of FIG. 1 having an inner water conduitattached to a water wash-down line;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of a vessel ofthe water treatment system of FIG. 1 having an inner water conduitattached to a raw water line;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a second water treatment systemof the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the water treatment system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom view of a vessel of the water treatmentsystem of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial side view of a vessel of the watertreatment system of FIG. 9;

and

FIG. 13 illustrates a liquid control system of the water treatmentsystem of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end”, “upper”,“lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”,“lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to theinvention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to beunderstood that the invention may assume various alternative variationsand step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Itis also to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence,specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard variation found in theirrespective testing measurements.

Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein isintended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, arange of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (andincluding) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum valueof 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and amaximum value of equal to or less than 10.

In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural andplural encompasses singular, unless specifically stated otherwise. Inaddition, in this application, the use of “or” means “and/or” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, even though “and/or” may be explicitlyused in certain instances.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention includes a watertreatment system 10 comprising a first vessel 12 and a second vessel 14.Each vessel 12, 14 can independently be made of various materialsincluding, but not limited to, various types of metals. For example,each vessel 12, 14 can be made of carbon steel. In addition, each vessel12, 14 is independently sized to meet the desired filtering requirementsfor a particular system 10 and area. As will be explained in furtherdetail herein, each vessel 12, 14 is designed such that the watertreatment system 10 has a height of 16 feet or less, or 14 feet or less,or 12 feet or less, or 10 feet or less, while also meeting the desiredfiltering requirements. To obtain the previously described heights, itis appreciated that each vessel 12, 14 can comprise a height of 15 feetor less, or 14.5 feet or less, or 14 feet or less, or 13.5 feet or less,or 13 feet or less, or 12.5 feet or less, or 12 feet or less, while alsomeeting the desired filtering requirements.

As indicated, the first and second vessels 12, 14 of the water treatmentsystem 10 are both configured to filter water, such as raw watercontaining undesirable constituents, using adsorption materials thatform a filtering bed 15 in an interior of each vessel 12, 14.Non-limiting examples of adsorption materials include granular activatedcarbon media such as virgin coconut or bituminous coal based granularactivated carbon, ion-exchange resins, sand, and any combinationthereof. It is appreciated that each vessel 12, 14 can comprise the sametype of adsorption materials or different types of adsorption materials.The type(s) of adsorption materials are selected based on theconstituents that are to be filtered from the water. The bed 15 ofadsorption materials can fill each vessel 12, 14 at an amount sufficientto filter the water. For instance, each vessel 12, 14 can independentlycomprise a filtering bed 15 of adsorption materials that makes up atleast 50%, at least 60%, at least 65%, or at least 75% of the totalinternal volume of each vessel 12, 14.

Referring to FIG. 1, a backwashing space 18 is formed between the bed 15of adsorption materials and the top 19 of each vessel 12, 14 to allowthe bed 15 of adsorption materials to be cleaned. As used herein,“backwashing” refers to the process of distributing water and,optionally, gas such as air upwards into the bed 15 of adsorptionmaterials to remove unwanted materials trapped in the bed 15 such asfrom the filtering process and/or to classify the adsorption materials.It is appreciated that the backwashing process causes the unwantedmaterials to move upwards out of the bed 15 of adsorption materialsand/or to move/adjust the placement of the adsorption materials prior toa filtering process. As such, the backwashing space 18 is configured tohave a volume that allows for sufficient cleaning and movement of thebed 15 of adsorption materials. For example, each vessel 12, 14 canindependently comprise a backwashing space 18 that makes up at least10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, or at least 25% of the total internalvolume of each vessel 12, 14.

The water treatment system 10 also comprises an underdrain collectionsystem 20 that collects filtered water and distributes backwash waterinto the bed 15 of adsorption materials. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4,the underdrain collection system 20 includes ring headers 22 formed frominterconnected pipes and which are positioned below each vessel 12, 14.The ring headers 22 are in fluid communication with the vessels 12, 14through a plurality of collection ports 24 formed through the bottoms 30of the vessels 12, 14. Each ring header 22 includes an outlet 26 thatdischarges the filtered water and, optionally, internal filter screensto filter out materials that enter the underdrain collection system 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, each vessel 12, 14 also includes anadsorbent material effluent line 27 that is controlled to removeadsorbent materials from the vessels 12, 14. Each adsorbent materialeffluent line 27 comprises an inlet 28 connected to the bottom 30 of thevessels 12, 14, and an outlet 29 that extends out from the vessels 12,14. In accordance with the present invention, the outlet 29 of eachadsorbent material effluent line 27 is positioned above the ring headers22 of the underdrain collection system 20. For example, the outlet 29can comprise a pad flange to elevate the outlet 29 above of the ringheaders 22. By elevating the outlet 29 of the adsorbent materialeffluent lines 27 above of the ring headers 22, the overall height ofeach vessel 12, 14 is lowered.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each vessel 12, 14 is fluidly connected to aliquid control system 32 that is configured to control at least rawwater entering at least one of the vessels 12, 14, filtered waterexiting the vessels 12, 14, backwashing water distributed upwards intothe adsorption materials of the vessels 12, 14, and the distribution offiltered water from the underdrain collection system 20 of one vessel 12or 14 into the other vessel 12 or 14. The liquid control system 32 cancomprise various components to control distribution of raw and filteredwater through each vessel 12, 14 as well as backwashing liquids. Forexample, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the liquid control system 32 cancomprise control valves 33 for controlling distribution of the fluids,pressure relief devices 34 to relieve water pressure, inlet port(s) 37for receiving water that needs filtered, and discharge port(s) 35 forcollecting filtered water, contaminants and backwashing liquids. Asshown in FIG. 1, the liquid control system 32 can also be designed tohave the discharge port 35, such as a flanged outlet, that controlseffluent materials and which is separated into a different area from theinlet port 37, such as a flanged inlet, that controls influent materialsin order to efficiently control the effluent and influent materialsseparately.

Referring to FIG. 1, the liquid control system 32 is positioned betweenthe first vessel 12 and the second vessel 14 to distribute and controlthe flow of liquids between the two vessels 12, 14. It is appreciatedthat the distance between the first vessel 12 and the second vessel 14is selected to provide proper flow of fluids through the liquid controlsystem 32 and between the two vessels 12, 14.

The water treatment system 10 further comprises a piping network thatestablishes communication between the vessels 12, 14, the liquid controlsystem 32, and sources of raw water, fresh/clean water, and adsorbentmaterials. For instance, and as shown in FIG. 1, each vessel 12, 14comprises an adsorbent material influent line 40 for distributingadsorbent materials such as carbon into the vessels 12, 14, a waterwash-down line 50 for distributing fresh/clean water into the vessels12, 14, a raw water line 60 for distributing raw water to be filteredinto the vessels 12, 14, and an air release line 70 for releasing airfrom the vessels 12, 14. The adsorbent material influent line 40, waterwash-down line 50, raw water line 60, and air release line 70 eachindependently extend along at least a portion of the height of thevessels 12, 14. Further, each previously described line can be formedfrom various materials including, but not limited to, carbon steelpiping.

As previously described, the vessels 12, 14 each include an adsorbentmaterial influent line 40 that independently extend along at least aportion of the height of the vessels 12, 14. In some examples, referringto FIG. 1, the adsorbent material influent lines 40 include an inlet end42 positioned through the sides 21 of the vessels 12, 14, and an outletend 44 positioned towards the bottom 30 of the vessels 12, 14. Toproperly distribute adsorbent materials, an inner distribution conduit46 extends from the inlet end 42, into the vessels 12, 14, and upwardsto the top 19 of the vessels such that the adsorbent materials aredistributed from the top 19 inside area of the vessels 12, 14. Forexample, and as shown in FIG. 6, the inner distribution conduit 46 canextend into the vessels 12, 14 at angle upwards toward the top 19 ofeach vessel 12, 14 where the distribution outlet 48 of the innerdistribution conduit 46 is directed downwards, such as with an elbow, toallow the adsorbent materials to be evenly distributed into the vessels12, 14.

Referring to FIG. 1, each water wash-down line 50 can similarly includean inlet end 52 positioned through the sides 21 of the vessels 12, 14,and an outlet end 54 positioned towards the bottom 30 of each vessel 12,14. To distribute water into the vessels 12, 14, an inner water conduit56 extends from the inlet end 52, into the vessels 12, 14, and upwardsto the top 19 of the vessels 12, 14 such that the water is distributedfrom the top 19 inside area of the vessels 12, 14. For example, and asshown in FIG. 7, the inner water conduit 56 can extend into the vessels12, 14 at an angle upwards toward the top 19 of each vessel 12, 14 wherethe water distribution outlet 58 of the inner water conduit 56 isdirected downwards, such as with an elbow, to allow water to be evenlydistributed into the vessels 12, 14 and over the adsorbent materials.

Each raw water line 60 can additionally include an inlet end 62positioned through the sides 21 of the vessels 12, 14, and an outlet end64 connected to the liquid control system 32 where raw water isdistributed into the raw water line 60 for filtering or where previouslyfiltered water is distributed for further filtering/polishing. Todistribute raw water into the vessels 12, 14, an inner water conduit 66extends from the inlet end 62, into the vessels 12, 14, and upwards tothe top 19 of the vessels 12, 14 such that the raw water is distributedfrom the top 19 inside area of the vessels 12, 14. For example, and asshown in FIG. 8, the inner water conduit 66 can extend out into thevessels 12, 14 and then upwards toward the top 19 of each vessel 12, 14where a water diffuser 68 distributes raw water into the vessels 12, 14and over the adsorbent materials.

It was found that by attaching the inlet ends 42, 52, 62 of theadsorbent material influent line 40, water wash-down line 50, and rawwater line 60 into the sides 21 of the vessels 12, 14, the overallheight of the vessels 12, 14 can be lowered. While the overall height islowered, the function and control of the water treatment system 10 isnot affected, thereby meeting the technical requirements of the watertreatment process.

In some examples, and as shown in FIGS. 9-13, the inlet ends 42, 52, 62of the adsorbent material influent line 40, water wash-down line 50, andraw water line 60 are connected to and positioned through the top 19 ofthe vessels 12, 14. In such examples, the inlet end 62 of each raw waterline 60 can independently comprise: a 90 degree elbow that extends overa portion of the top 19 of the vessels 12, 14; a flange 63, such as aslip based flange for example, that attaches the inlet 62 to the top 19of the vessels 12, 14; or both a 90 degree elbow and a flange 63. It wasfound that the use of a 90 degree elbow, such as a short-radius elbowfor example, and/or a flange 63, such as a slip-on flange for example,can lower the overall height of the water treatment system 10 withoutadversely affecting the desired filtering and backwashing processes.

Referring to FIG. 9, the inlet ends 42, 52 of each adsorbent materialinfluent line 40 and water wash-down line 50 can also include aconnection flange 43, 53 that can also help lower the overall height ofthe water treatment system 10. For example, the inlet ends 42, 52 of theadsorbent material influent line 40 and water wash-down line 50 can eachinclude a pad flange that can reduce the overall height of the watertreatment system 10 without adversely affecting the desired function.

As indicated, the vessels 12, 14 further comprise an air release line70. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, each air release line 70 comprises aninlet end 72 positioned through the top 19 of the vessels 12, 14, and anoutlet end 74 positioned towards the bottom 30 of the vessels 12, 14.The inlet end 72 can comprise a connection device 73 that can reduce theoverall height of the water treatment system 10. For instance, the inletend 72 can comprise a coupler that can reduce the overall height of thewater treatment system 10.

It is appreciated that the water treatment system 10 can comprisevarious other components. For example, the water treatment system 10 cancomprise manways 80 formed through the sides 21 of each vessel 12, 14that allow access to the inside of the vessels 12, 14. In addition, eachvessel 12, 14 can also include sample taps 82 positioned at differentheight levels along the sides 21 of the vessels 12, 14. The sample taps82 allow access to water samples during filtering, washing, andbackwashing processes at different height levels in the vessels 12, 14to determine, among other things, the filtering ability of the adsorbentmaterials. Further, each vessel 12, 14 can be secured in place withsupport legs 84 that extend from the sides 21 of the vessels 12, 14 tothe ground. Other non-limiting additional components include pressuregauges and flow meters.

The previously described water treatment system 10 can be operated inseries or in parallel. During operation of the water treatment system 10in series, raw water enters an inlet port 37 of the liquid controlsystem 32 where it is distributed through the raw water line 60 and intothe first vessel 12 or second vessel 14. The raw water then flowsthrough the bed 15 of adsorbent materials to filter unwantedconstituents from the water. The filtered water exits the first vessel12 or second vessel 14 into the underdrain collection system 20 by wayof the plurality of collection ports 24 formed through the bottom 30 ofthe vessel 12 or 14. The filtered water then flows from the underdraincollection system 20 into the opposite vessel 12 or 14 by use of theopposite raw water line 60. The water is further filtered/polishedthrough the bed 15 of adsorbent materials of the opposite vessel 12 or14 before entering the underdrain collection system 20. The filteredeffluent water can then be collected from a sample port 39.

Alternatively, when the water treatment system 10 is operated inparallel, raw water enters an inlet port 37 of the liquid control system32 where it is separated and distributed through different raw waterlines 60 and into the first vessel 12 and second vessel 14. The rawwater then flows through the bed 15 of adsorbent materials in each ofthe vessels 12, 14 to filter unwanted constituents from the water. Thefiltered water exits the first vessel 12 or second vessel 14 into theunderdrain collection system 20 by way of the plurality of collectionports 24 formed through the bottom 30 of the vessel 12 or 14. Thefiltered effluent water can then be collected from a sample port 39.

After any of the previously described filtering processes, the filteringbed 15 of adsorption materials can be backwashed by introducing waterinto the bottom of the bed 15 and distributing the water upwards to thetop 19 of the vessels 12, 14. The backwashing process causes theadsorption materials to expand and release constituents filtered outfrom the raw water. The backwash water can flow from the top 19 of thevessel and into the raw water lines 60. The water used for backwashingcan then exit through the discharge flange positioned between theflanges associated with 37 and 35 (see FIG. 1).

As previously described, the water treatment system 10 also includesadsorbent material effluent lines 27 and adsorbent material influentlines 40. As such, before and/or after a filtering and/or backwashingprocess, the adsorption materials can be replaced by removing theexisting adsorption materials in the vessels 12, 14 through theadsorbent material effluent lines 27 and adding new adsorption materialsthrough the adsorbent material influent lines 40. Water from the waterwash-down line 50 can be used to help remove the existing adsorbentmaterials. After adding new adsorption materials to the vessels 12, 14,a backwashing process can be applied to classify and adjust thepositioning of the new adsorbent materials.

It was found that the water treatment system 10 of the present inventionprovides a limited number of vessels 12, 14 which meet heightrestrictions, flow requirements, desired media volumes, and loweredpressure drops. For instance, the water treatment system 10 can comprisea total height of 16 feet or less, or 14 feet or less, or 12 feet orless, or 10 feet or less, and which also allows for a water flow rate ofat least 1,200 gallons per minute with a pressure drop of less than 10psi. In addition, the vessels 12, 14 of the water treatment system 10allow for a sufficient amount of backwashing space 18 as previouslydescribed while also allowing for a large of amount of adsorptionmaterials such as at least 15,000 lbs. of adsorption materials, or atleast 20,000 lbs. of adsorption materials, or at least 30,000 lbs. ofadsorption materials, or at least 40,000 lbs. of adsorption materials.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been describedabove for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilledin the art that numerous variations of the details of the presentinvention may be made without departing from the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A water treatment system comprising: afirst vessel comprising adsorbent materials that form a filtering bed inan interior of the first vessel; a second vessel in fluid communicationwith the first vessel and which comprises adsorbent materials that forma filtering bed in an interior of the second vessel; an underdraincollection system comprising ring headers formed below the first andsecond vessel and which are configured to receive filtered water; aliquid control system in fluid communication with the first vessel, thesecond vessel, and the underdrain collection system and whichdistributes and controls the flow of liquids between both the first andsecond vessel; adsorbent material influent lines in fluid communicationwith the first and second vessels and which are configured to distributeadsorption materials into the first and second vessels; water wash-downlines in fluid communication with the first and second vessels that areconfigured to distribute water into the first and second vessels; rawwater lines in fluid communication with the first and second vesselsthat are configured to distribute raw water into the filtering beds ofadsorbent materials of the first and second vessels to filter unwantedconstituents with the adsorbent materials, the raw water lines of thefirst and second vessels each independently comprise an inlet endpositioned through the first or second vessel and an outlet endconnected to an inlet port of the liquid control system; and adsorbentmaterial effluent lines configured to remove adsorption materials fromthe first and second vessels, each adsorbent material effluent linecomprising an inlet attached to a bottom of the first or second vesseland an outlet that extends out from the first or second vessel and whichis positioned above the ring headers of the underdrain collectionsystem, wherein the first and second vessels comprise separate ringheaders that each independently comprise interconnected pipes, aplurality of collection ports extending from the interconnected pipesand formed through a bottom of the vessels, and an outlet that isconnected to an outlet port of the liquid control system.
 2. The watertreatment system of claim 1, wherein the first vessel and the secondvessel each comprise a backwashing space formed between the filteringbed of adsorption materials and a top of the vessels.
 3. The watertreatment system of claim 2, wherein the backwashing space comprises atleast 20% of a total internal volume of each vessel.
 4. The watertreatment system of claim 1, wherein the adsorbent material influentlines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines, or a combinationthereof comprise an inlet end positioned through the sides of the firstand second vessel.
 5. The water treatment system of claim 4, wherein theadsorbent material influent lines each comprise an inlet end positionedthrough the side of the first or second vessel, and wherein eachadsorbent material influent line further comprises an inner distributionconduit that extends from the inlet end, into the first or secondvessel, and upwards to a top of the first or second vessel such thatadsorbent materials are distributed from the top inside area of thefirst or second vessel.
 6. The water treatment system of claim 4,wherein the water wash-down lines each comprise an inlet end positionedthrough the side of the first or second vessel, and wherein each waterwash-down line further comprises an inner water conduit that extendsfrom the inlet end, into the first or second vessel, and upwards to atop of the first or second vessel such that water is distributed fromthe top inside area of the first or second vessel.
 7. The watertreatment system of claim 4, wherein the raw water lines each comprisean inlet end positioned through the side of the first or second vessel,and wherein each raw water line further comprises an inner water conduitthat extends from the inlet end, into the first or second vessel, andupwards to a top of the first or second vessel such that raw water isdistributed from the top inside area of the first or second vessel. 8.The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the adsorbent materialinfluent lines, the water wash-down lines, the raw water lines, or acombination thereof comprise an inlet end positioned through a top ofthe first and second vessel.
 9. The water treatment system of claim 8,wherein the raw water lines each comprise an inlet end positionedthrough the top of the first or second vessel, and wherein the inlet endof each raw water line independently comprises a 90 degree elbow thatextends over the top of the first or second vessel.
 10. The watertreatment system of claim 8, wherein the raw water lines each comprisean inlet end positioned through the top of the first or second vessel,and wherein the inlet end of each raw water line independently comprisesa flange that attaches to the top of the first or second vessel.
 11. Thewater treatment system of claim 8, wherein the adsorbent materialinfluent lines and water wash-down lines each comprise an inlet endpositioned through the top of the first or second vessel, and whereinthe inlet ends of each adsorbent material influent line and waterwash-down line independently comprise a flange that attaches to the topof the first or second vessel.
 12. The water treatment system of claim1, further comprising air release lines configured to release air fromthe first and second vessels.
 13. The water treatment system of claim12, wherein each air release line comprises an inlet end positionedthrough a top of the first or second vessel, and an outlet end thatextends to the bottom of the first or second vessel.
 14. The watertreatment system of claim 1, wherein the water treatment systemcomprises a total height of 16 feet or less.